The Department of Health Services (DHCS) releases monthly Drug Utilization Review (DUR) articles which provide timely and relevant information impacting providers and their patients. L.A. Care is sharing the latest release from August on anticholinergic medications and antipsychotic use.
Clinical Review Update: Concomitant Anticholinergic and Antipsychotic Use
Released August 30, 2019
Anticholinergic medications, such as diphenhydramine, are often prescribed to prevent or treat antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
Clinical decisions for the prophylactic use of anticholinergic medications to prevent EPS should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Patients taking second generation antipsychotics have a lower risk for EPS and prophylaxis with anticholinergic medications is not recommended.
Patients 65 years and older or those with high genetic risk of cognitive disorder should consider discontinuation of anticholinergic medications to reduce potential adverse events.
View the Clinical Review Update: Concomitant Anticholinergic and Antipsychotic Use article (dured_28115).